Soccer:Norwich have completed the signing of defender Sebastien Bassong from Tottenham. The Canaries were beaten 5-0 on the opening day of the Premier League campaign and the French-born Cameroon international will add some much-needed cover for new boss Chris Hughton, who worked with the 26-year-old at Newcastle.
Norwich confirmed the transfer, which is for an undisclosed fee, on their official website just after Bassong wrote on his Twitter feed: "I've been officially transferred to Norwich today."
Bassong started his career at Metz, before signing with Newcastle during the summer of 2008. He was voted their player of the season in his first campaign with the club and a €10 million move to Tottenham followed when the Magpies were relegated. However, the defender found his chances limited last season and so spent a spell on loan with Wolves.
Hughton feels Bassong will bring some much needed depth to the Norwich defence as the Canaries look to build following the departure of manager Paul Lambert to Aston Villa in the summer.
"Sebastien is a player that I have known well since my time at Newcastle and I'm delighted to have brought in someone with the Premier League experience he has got," Hughton said on www.canaries.co.uk. "He will give us power and pace at the back and again add to the competition in the squad."
Last week, Norwich signed former Manchester City left-back Javier Garrido on loan from Lazio and have been scouting Blackburn goalkeeper Mark Bunn, who is reported to have handed in a transfer request.
Another Tottenham centre back Michael Dawson is believed to have been the subject of a bid from QPR. It is understood a deal is close and that Dawson could be set to discuss personal terms and undergo a medical soon.
The England defender's status as regular starter at Spurs was placed in doubt after he was left out of the squad for Saturday's opening-day Premier League defeat at Newcastle.
Rangers are in the market for another centre-back, with their need seemingly becoming more pressing after the weekend's 5-0 home thrashing by Swansea.
Dawson had long been earmarked as a successor to Ledley King as Tottenham captain and he skippered the side during pre-season. But the 28-year-old, who moved to White Hart Lane seven-and-a-half years ago, made just 13 appearances last term after struggling with injury and it has been suggested he may now not be a key part of new manager Andre Villas-Boas' plans.
It is also understood QPR defender Matthew Connolly is on the brink of sealing a move to Cardiff, with a fee having been agreed between the two clubs.
